re CMP pad with local area transparency By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A CMP polishing pad comprising (a) a polishing layer having a polishing surface and a back surface opposite said polishing surface; said polishing layer having at least one cured opaque thermoset polyurethane region and at least one aperture region; said at least one cured opaque thermoset region has a porosity from about 10% to about 55% by volume; said at least one aperture region having (1) a top opening positioned below the polishing surface, (2) a bottom opening that is co-planar with said back surface and (3) straight line vertical sidewalls extending from said aperture top opening to said aperture bottom opening; said at least one aperture region filled with a cured plug of thermoset polyurethane local area transparency material that has a light transmission of less than 80% at a wavelength from 700 to 710 nanometers and is chemically bonded directly to a thermoset polyurethane opaque area; (b) an aperture-free removable release sheet covering at least a portion of said back surface of the polishing layer; and(c) an adhesive layer interposed between said polishing layer and said release sheet; said adhesive layer capable of adhering the polishing layer to a platen of a CMP apparatus after said release sheet has been removed. Full Article
re Polycrystalline diamond compact including a polycrystalline diamond table with a thermally-stable region having at least one low-carbon-solubility material and applications therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) comprising a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table including a thermally-stable region having at least one low-carbon-solubility material disposed interstitially between bonded diamond grains thereof, and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate, and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes a plurality of diamond grains exhibiting diamond-to-diamond bonding therebetween and defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The PCD table further includes at least one low-carbon-solubility material disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The at least one low-carbon-solubility material exhibits a melting temperature of about 1300° C. or less and a bulk modulus at 20° C. of less than about 150 GPa. Full Article
re Textured alumina layer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cutting tool insert for machining by chip removal comprising a body of a hard alloy of cemented carbide, cermet, ceramics or cubic boron nitride based material onto which a hard and wear resistant coating is deposited by CVD, and the methods of making and using the same. The coating includes at least one α-Al2O3 layer with a thickness between 0.5 μm and 40 μm having a {01-15} and/or {10-15} texture exhibiting excellent wear and metal cutting performance. Full Article
re Polishing pad for eddy current end-point detection By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Polishing pads for polishing semiconductor substrates using eddy current end-point detection are described. Methods of fabricating polishing pads for polishing semiconductor substrates using eddy current end-point detection are also described. Full Article
re Polishing composition and method utilizing abrasive particles treated with an aminosilane By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The inventive method comprises chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with an inventive polishing composition comprising a liquid carrier and abrasive particles that have been treated with a compound. Full Article
re Abrasive articles including abrasive particles bonded to an elongated body, and methods of forming thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An abrasive article includes an elongated body, a bonding layer including a metal overlying a surface of the elongated body, and a coating layer including a polymer material overlying the boding layer. The abrasive article further includes abrasive grains contained within the bonding layer and coating layer, and wherein the bonding layer comprises an average thickness (tbl) at least about 40% of the average grit size of the abrasive grains. Full Article
re A METHOD, A SYSTEM, A TRANSPONDER, AND A POSITION DETECTION APPARATUS FOR A PRECISE MEASUREMENT OF A POSITION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a system for determining a distance, a transponder, a position detection apparatus, and a method therefor. The method for determining a distance comprises providing a position detection apparatus (101), and a transponder (105). The method further comprises generating (201) a pseudo number sequence, transmitting (202) the pseudo number sequence, receiving (203) the pseudo number sequence; modulate (204) the received pseudo number sequence by means of delaying the recieved pseudo number sequence a predetermined number of clock cycles from a group of at least two predetermined number of clock cycles. The method further comprises transmitting (205) the modulated pseudo number sequence, recieving (206) the modulated pseudo number sequence, detecting (207) a path time of the pseudo number sequence, by means of delaying and correlating the generated pseudo number sequence with the received modulated pseudo number sequence, wherein the delay time corresponds to the path time, The method further comprises detecting (208) a clock correction factor for the transponder (105) using the received modulated pseudo number sequence, calculating (209) a flight time of the pseudo number sequence between the position detection apparatus and the transponder by means of the path time, the clock correction factor, and the predetermined number of clock cycles of the transponder, and calculating (210) the distance between said position detection apparatus and said transponder by means of the flight time. Full Article
re GENERATING ESTIMATES OF UNCERTAINTY FOR RADAR BASED PRECIPITATION ESTIMATES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method and system for estimating uncertainties in radar based precipitation estimates is provided. In an embodiment, gauge measurements at one or more gauge locations are received by an agricultural intelligence computer system. The agricultural intelligence computer system obtains precipitation estimates for the one or more gauge locations that correspond to the gauge measurements and computes the differences between the precipitation estimates and the gauge measurements. Using the precipitation estimates and the computed differences, the agricultural intelligence computer system then models a dependence of the uncertainty in the precipitation estimates on the value of the precipitation estimates. When the agricultural intelligence computer system receives precipitation estimates for a location where gauge measurements are unavailable, the agricultural intelligence computer identifies an uncertainty for the precipitation estimate based on the value of the precipitation estimate and the model of the dependence of the uncertainty on the precipitation estimate values. Full Article
re ELECTRONICALLY SCANNED ANTENNA ARRAYS WITH RECONFIGURABLE PERFORMANCE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus may include a plurality of antenna elements forming an antenna array. The apparatus may further include a beamformer that determines one or more of phase and amplitude shifts to cause the plurality of antenna elements to produce a beam in the direction of a target. The apparatus may further include a null limiter comprising dither circuits. The dither circuits may dither the one or more of phase and amplitude shifts by adding noise to cause a side lobe of the beam to increase above a threshold value. The dither circuits may be enabled by a control signal, and the dithered one or more of phase and amplitude shifts may be provided to the antenna elements to produce the beam in the direction of the target with the side lobes above the threshold value. Full Article
re RADAR APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A vehicle-mounted radar apparatus includes transmission antenna members and a transmitting section provided with an oscillator and phase shifters, a controller controlling the phase shifter, a reception antenna member, and a receiving section. The oscillator generates radio waves for the radar waves transmitted from the transmission antenna. Each phase shifters changes a phase of the radio waves generated and supplies the phase-shifted radio waves to a corresponding one of the transmission antenna members. The reception antenna member receives reflected waves of the radar waves. The receiving section generates a reception signal including the reflected waves. For the noise reduction process, the controller controls the phase control, so that, of the received signals generated at the receiving section, a first leak component which is from reflected waves from objects other than a target object is subtracted from a second leak component leaking from the transmitting section to the receiving section. Full Article
re System for Transmission and/or Reception of Signals Having Electromagnetic Modes With Orbital Angular Momentum, and Device and Method Thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system is described, along with the related device and method, for transmission and/or reception of signals having electromagnetic modes with orbital angular momentum (OAM), wherein the device is adapted to receive, at its input, electromagnetic signals from at least one transmitter, and is configured to apply a discrete Fourier transform to the electromagnetic signals in order to generate the signals having electromagnetic modes with orbital angular momentum. Full Article
re Method for fill level measurement and a fill level measuring device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Provided are a method for measuring the fill level of a fill substance with at least one radar sensor and with at least one electronic evaluation unit comprising the steps recording of an echo curve, recording of a Doppler frequency spectrum, evaluation of the Doppler frequency spectrum by the electronic evaluation unit and evaluation of the echo curve by the electronic evaluation unit taking into consideration the results of the evaluation of the Doppler frequency spectrum by the electronic evaluation unit, as well as a fill level measuring device with at least one radar sensor and an electronic control and evaluation unit, that is set up for the implementation of such a method. Full Article
re METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A POSITION OF USER EQUIPMENT, AND AN ANTENNA SET THEREFOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a method for positioning of user equipment. The method for positioning of user equipment, includes: receiving, by the user equipment, a signal from an external antenna, the signal being radiated in a cyclic pattern; measuring, by the user equipment, strength of the received signal, characterizing, by the user equipment, the measured strength to form a signal pattern over a time period; and determining a position of the user equipment based on the signal pattern. Full Article
re POLARIZATION TECHNIQUES FOR SUPPRESSION OF HARMONIC COUPLING AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system comprising: an interrogator device, comprising: a first transmit antenna configured to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals circularly polarized in a first rotational direction; and a first receive antenna configured to receive RF signals circularly polarized in a second rotational direction different from the first rotational direction; and a target device, comprising: a second receive antenna configured to receive RF signals circularly polarized in the first rotational direction and a second transmit antenna configured to transmit, to the interrogator device, RF signals circularly polarized in the second rotational direction. Full Article
re APERTURE CODING FOR A SINGLE APERTURE TRANSMIT RECEIVE SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An integrated circuit (IC) of a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) coded aperture radar (CAR) configured to step through a range of frequencies in each sweep and a method of assembling the FMCW CAR are described. The IC includes an antenna element to transmit and receive at a given time duration, a transmit channel to process a signal for transmission, the transmit channel including a transmit switch to change a state of a transmit phase shifter between two states based on a first code, and a receive channel to process a received signal, the receive channel including a receive switch to change a state of a receive phase shifter between two states based on a second code. The IC also includes a switch controller to control the first code and the second code, wherein the switch controller controls the first code to remain constant within the sweep. Full Article
re RADAR SENSOR, CORRESPONDING OPERATING METHOD AND VEHICLE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A radar sensor for detecting at least one object, having a control device to receive a control input signal; a signal generator to generate a transmit signal having a multitude of signal cycles, each signal cycle having a multitude of signal sequences, and a series of blocks being formed, each block having precisely one frequency ramp of each signal sequence, and the signal generator furthermore being designed to select a predefined quantity of blocks from the transmit signal based on the control input signal and to output them as output signal; an antenna device to transmit the output signal that is output by the signal generator and to receive a receive signal; and an evaluation device which is designed to ascertain, by superpositioning the transmit signal and the receive signal, a quantity with regard to an angle and/or a distance and/or a relative speed of the at least one object. Full Article
re ROTATING ATTITUDE HEADING REFERENCE SYSTEMS AND METHODS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide orientation and/or position data from an orientation and/or position sensor (OPS) while it is rotating. A system includes a logic device configured to communicate with an OPS that is rotationally coupled to a mobile structure. The logic device is configured to receive orientation and/or position data from the OPS while the OPS is rotating relative to the mobile structure and determine rotationally corrected orientation and/or position data referenced to the mobile structure, a rotationally actuated sensor assembly mounted to the mobile structure, and/or an absolute coordinate frame. Full Article
re FREQUENCY MODULATED CONTINUOUS WAVE RADIO ALTIMETER SPECTRAL MONITORING By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment, a radio altimeter tracking filter is provided. The filter comprises: a wireless radio interface; a processor coupled to the wireless radio interface; a memory coupled to the wireless radio interface; wherein the wireless radio interface is configured to wirelessly receive a radio altimeter signal and convert the radio altimeter signal to a baseband frequency signal, wherein the a radio altimeter signal sweeps across a first frequency spectrum between a first frequency and a second frequency; wherein the processor is configured to pass the baseband frequency signal through a filter executed by the processor, the filter comprising a passband having a first bandwidth, and wherein the filter outputs a plurality of spectral chirps in response to the baseband frequency signal passing through the first bandwidth; wherein the processor is configured to process the plurality of spectral chirps to output characteristic parameters that characterize the radio altimeter signal. Full Article
re MOTORCYCLE BLIND SPOT DETECTION SYSTEM AND REAR COLLISION ALERT USING MECHANICALLY ALIGNED RADAR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A blind spot detection system for a motorcycle, which includes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a detection device for detecting the presence of a vehicle in at least one blind spot. The accelerometer detects a gravity force vector, and the gyroscope detects the position of the motorcycle relative to the gravity force vector such that a lean angle of the motorcycle is calculated. The detection device is then configured to maintain the same position of the motorcycle relative to the gravity force vector and compensate for the position of the motorcycle if the lean angle is greater or less than 90°, such that the detection device is able to detect the presence of the vehicle in the at least one blind spot, independent of the lean angle of the motorcycle. Full Article
re Electrically Short Antennas with Enhanced Radiation Resistance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Various methods, apparatus, devices and systems are provided for electrically short antennas for efficient broadband transmission. In one example, among others, a system includes a segmentally time-variant antenna and a segment controller that can control conductivity of individual segments of the segmentally time-variant antenna. The conductivity of the individual segments is modulated to allow a pulse to propagate from the proximal end to the distal end of the segmentally time-variant antenna and impede a reflection of the pulse from propagating back to the proximal end of the segmentally time-variant antenna. In another embodiment, a method includes injecting a pulse at a first end of a segmentally time-variant antenna and modulating conductivity of individual segments to allow the pulse to propagate to a second end of the segmentally time-variant antenna and impede a reflection of the pulse from propagating back to the first end. Full Article
re DIRECTIONAL ANTENNA WITH SIGNAL STRENGTH FEEDBACK AND METHODS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are systems and methods for improving the quality and strength of a wireless signal connecting a mobile station and a base station, in situations where the mobile station is able to utilize a directional antenna. The system for improving system quality comprise, for example, a directional antenna; an antenna power level detector which detects a signal strength; a signal inverter wherein the signal inverter generates a conditioned signal from the detected signal strength; an indicator wherein the indicator provides an indicator of a signal quality level from the detected signal strength; a reorientation decision logic wherein the reorientation decision logic communicates an instruction for movement of the directional antenna, wherein the detected signal strength is correlated to a projected orientation of the directional antenna at a time the signal strength is detected, and further wherein an antenna orientation control loop communicates a reorientation instruction for the directional antenna. Full Article
re POSITION SENSOR, DIRECTION ESTIMATION METHOD, AND SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A sensor includes a reception antenna, a parasitic antenna terminating in a variable load, a controller, a transmitter transmitting a transmission signal, a receiver, a memory, and a processor. The controller sets an impedance value of the variable load. The receiver receives a first signal formed of signals received by the antennas and derived from the transmission signal, and the signal received by the parasitic antenna corresponding to the impedance value. The memory stores a first signal strength value of the first signal corresponding to the impedance value. The processor sets candidates of a complex propagation channel, calculates second signal strength values of a second signal respectively corresponding to the candidates, estimates a target complex propagation channel by selecting a candidate corresponding to a minimum difference among differences between the first signal strength value and the second signal strength values, and estimates a direction of arrival of the first signal. Full Article
re RECOVERY ASSISTANCE DEVICE, METHOD AND SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention discloses a recovery assistance device for helping in rescuing victims of avalanches, earthquakes or boat capsizes. The device is capable of calculating a position from combinations of a previous position and distances to other devices. Different configurations are possible, with a basic configuration consisting of a smart phone having waveform generation capabilities, processing and GNSS receiving capabilities. The device is programmed to be used in a defined mission by an application. The device can also receive a number of add-ons as a battery add-on, a modem add-on, a sound wave generation add-on, antennas, and protection, possibly waterproof, if adequate. Devices of the same type can be carried by people to be rescued and rescuers. The device is therefore quite versatile and can increase significantly the efficiency of rescue teams in different use case scenarios. Full Article
re Moisture responsive irrigation method and apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An irrigation device comprising a moisture responsive barrier is provided. At least a portion of the barrier has perforations, at least some of the perforations are associated with a water swellable material. The perforations are configured to open as the water swellable material loses moisture and dries out and are configured to close as said water swellable material is exposed to and absorbs water, such as during a watering step. According to another aspect the irrigation method includes the steps of positioning a perforated barrier between a source of irrigation water and an area to be irrigated, wherein the perforations are associated with a water swellable material; exposing the water swellable material to water to cause the water swellable material to swell to close the perforations; and permitting the water swellable material to dry, to open the perforations, whereby the opening and closing of the perforations regulates the amount of irrigation water being applied across the barrier in the irrigation method. Full Article
re Light-scattering fluororesin film for agricultural applications, and method for producing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provide a light-scattering fluororesin film for agricultural applications which can be used as a covering material for an agricultural house or the like, is excellent in uniformity of color or the like of crops cultivated, can reduce the occurrence of leaf scorch, seedling blight or the like, and can cultivate the crops at high productivity. Specifically, the invention provides a light-scattering fluororesin film for agricultural applications that gives a ratio of scattered light with a scattering angle of 5.5 to 10° being 5% or higher relative to the total transmitted light. Full Article
re Method of treating plant growth media with multi-branched wetting agents By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Certain novel formulations of plant growth media additives that act in such a manner as to permit proper amounts of moisture to contact root systems in order to reduce hydrophobicity within said media. The inventive formulation comprising multi-branched surfactant compounds with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic constituents within each branch attached to a polyfunctional base compound permit effective moisture penetration through plant growth media for sustained seedling and plant growth therein. Such multi-branched wetting agents provide sustained moisture penetration over a sustained period of time, since the individual branches of such compounds may become dissociated from its base polyfunctional compound. Since such branches include both hydrophobic and hydrophilic constituents themselves, and thus act as wetting agents, even after degradation of the initial surfactant compound, repeated wetting and moisture penetration, at least, are permitted. Methods of treating plant growth media with such compounds and formulations thereof are also contemplated within this invention. Full Article
re Method for improved plant breeding By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An improved plant breeding system for high throughput analysis of plant phenotype and genotype is provided. A method for analyzing the impact of genetic modifications on plants and selecting a plant with a genetic modification of interest is also provided. Also provided is a method for developing marketable information for improved plant breeding and a method for collecting data on a selected plant phenotype for rapid analysis of the effect of a genetic modification on the selected phenotype. Full Article
re Method for determining hydration requirements of succulent plants By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides an improved, quantitative, standardized method of hydrating succulent plants by a plant owner. The method includes calculating the amount of water and watering frequency required, depending on environmental conditions, such as substrate used to grow a plant, relative humidity and temperature, and using a demarcated container for watering the plant, all of which maintains and prolongs the health, vitality, beauty and longevity of the succulent plant. Full Article
re Composition that prevents damage to trees by harmful insects and a prevention method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a composition comprising a neonicotinoid-based compound having a high degree of insecticidal activity, a surfactant, and an organic solvent, which is capable of demonstrating stable effects and in which the types and amounts of surfactant and organic solvent are adjusted so as to prevent chemical damage in numerous types of trees. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for preventing damage to trees by harmful insects of numerous types of trees by injecting this composition into a tree trunk and allowing the chemical to circulate within the tree body. Full Article
re Automated systems for removing tissue samples from seeds, and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A seed sampling system is provided having an automated seed loading assembly including a seed bin and being operable to singulate seeds from a plurality of seeds within the seed bin. The system also includes an automated seed sampling assembly operable to remove tissue samples from the singulated seeds, and an automated seed transport assembly operable to transfer the singulated seeds from the seed loading assembly to the seed sampling assembly. The seed transport assembly includes multiple retention members. Each of the retention members is movable relative to the seed loading assembly and to the seed sampling assembly. The seed transport assembly is operable to position one of the multiple retention members adjacent to the seed loading assembly for engaging one of the singulated seeds, while positioning another of the retention members adjacent to the seed sampling assembly for presenting another of the singulated seeds to the seed sampling assembly. Full Article
re Greenhouse system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a greenhouse system. An exemplary greenhouse system comprises at least one plant culture. At least part of a glazing of the greenhouse system comprises at least one functional layer that is adapted to the plant culture. Full Article
re Greenhouse screen By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention refers to a greenhouse screen comprising strips of film material that are interconnected by a yarn system by means of hosiery, knitting, warp-knitting or weaving process to form a continuous product. At least some of the strips comprise a film material in the form of a multilayer polyester film having a thickness less than 60 μm and comprising at least two layers, wherein at least one layer is white and at least one layer is black, the at least one white layer comprises polyester and a white pigment in an amount between 5 and 50 weight-% based on the total weight of the white layer, and the at least one black layer comprises polyester and a black opacifying agent. Full Article
re Multi-functional furniture-accessory system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A central housing in a generally rectilinear configuration. The central housing has a horizontal open top, a horizontal open bottom and side walls. A horizontal lower divider panel is between the top and the bottom. Lateral openings in the housing are located in the lower section of the upstanding side walls adjacent to the bottom extent. A plurality of interchangeable upper components is chosen from the class including a cover having seat and table top on the top and bottom of the planar surfaces, an ice chest a large planter, an upper horizontal divider panel and an ice chest. The upper components are adapted to be selectively positioned on the open top and depend into the upper component. A plurality of lower components is chosen from the class including doors and casters. A lateral opening is formed in the housing adjacent to the bottom. Full Article
re Plant air purification enclosure apparatus and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A plant air purifying enclosure, or “PAPE,” contained within an unconditioned space, either within or outside a building, containing therein a plant air purifier, which is used to purify air using plants and microbes growing therein. The PAPE enclosure itself receives poor indoor quality air from within structure where the PAPE is located or from a structure close by along with thermal energy which keeps the plant air purifier enclosure at a suitable temperature for the plants and air cleaning microbes within the air purifier. Poor air enters the enclosure, is purified by the plants and microbes, and returns in purified form back to the habitable space from which it was taken. This lowers the amount of outside air needed for ventilation purposes and so lessens a building's overall energy consumption while providing efficiently for naturally purified air. Fundamentally, the object of this invention is to specify devices, systems and methods to house/enclose plant purifiers in such a way that they can readily be deployed on a wide scale. Full Article
re Adjustable water retention device for a plant pot By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An adjustable water retention device for a plant pot has a plant container nesting in a second outer pot, with a facilitated flow of water communicating between the second outer pot and the plant container, wherein the second outer pot rests on a base. Full Article
re Culture container By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A culture container includes a container and a cover. The container forms an opening at the top and an external threaded portion around the opening. The cover includes a main body and a flange extending from the main body. An internal threaded portion corresponding to the external threaded portion is formed on the internal surface of the flange. The cover forms a ventilation passage having an opening formed at a free end of the flange facing away from the main body. When the internal threaded portion is threaded with the external threaded portion so as to close the opening of the bottle, the interior of the bottle communicates with exterior via the ventilation passage. Thus, dust is prevented from falling into the bottle via the ventilation passage. Full Article
re Prevegetated blanket By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A prevegetated blanket is formed, grown, and transported to an installation site in a tray specifically suited for this purpose. Growth in a tray system offers an improved and protected root system and provides for ease of transport and installation. The tray has side walls and a t-grid floor to permit growth of the blanket. The tray also has interlocking capabilities for nestable or non-nestable stacking. After growth in a controlled environment, the prevegetated blanket with the tray is transferred to a specific site and installed immediately after soil is prepared. Due to the tray design, the product is light weight and facilitates ease of handling with minimal disturbance of the root structure. Full Article
re Substituted cellulose acetates and uses thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to substituted cellulose acetates and methods of use thereof. One embodiment of the present invention provides a coating having a substituted cellulose acetate having a polar substituent that has an oxygen atom covalently bonded to a nonmetal selected from the group of sulfur, phosphorus, and boron; wherein the nonmetal is present in at least about 0.01% by weight of the substituted cellulose acetate. Full Article
re Automated contamination-free seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An automated seed sampler system includes an imaging device for obtaining images of seeds, an orienting device for orienting the seeds based on the images, and a sampling station for removing tissue from the oriented seeds. In some aspects, the system also includes a transport subsystem for supporting the oriented seeds and conveying the oriented seeds to the sampling station. A method for removing tissue from seeds includes imaging the seeds, orienting the seeds based on image information obtained from the seeds, and removing tissue from the oriented seeds. In some aspects, the method also includes transporting the oriented seeds in a transport subsystem to a sampling station for removing the tissue from the oriented seeds, and/or collecting the tissue removed from the oriented seeds so that a one-to-one correspondence exists between the tissue and the sampled seeds, and/or analyzing the tissue for characteristics indicative of genetic and/or chemical traits. Full Article
re Universal holiday tree stand with built-in heat pump By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tree stand includes a housing dimensioned for holding electronic components used in providing electricity in support of decorative lighting for the tree. The tree stand removes heat from the housing without the use moving parts. Floor vents enable cool air to enter the housing; upper vents enable that air, warmed by the electrical components, to escape to the housing and into a heat riser housing as part of a growing, circular heat thermal. The heat follows a spiral ramp in the heat riser housing exiting vents at the top where additional heat is conducted into the tree itself, radiated into the air. Tree legs can be increased in number or replaced with longer legged trees without tools by insertion of the side wall into a slot formed in the legs and then slid around the circular slide wall from the notch where each leg is inserted. Full Article
re Wettable peat moss, method of preparation, and method of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A composition comprising peat moss and one or more alkoxylates selected from the group consisting of alcohol alkoxylates and alkylphenol alkoxylates and, optionally, one or more polysaccharides, for example guars and/or guar derivatives. A synergistic effect of a combination of the alkoxylates and the polysaccharides was discovered. A method of preparing the peat moss composition and a method of using it are also disclosed. Full Article
re Plant protection circular bag with wire mesh By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Jul 2019 08:00:00 EDT Full Article
re COMBINATION SHOWERHEAD WITH PRESS BUTTON SWITCHING By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a combination showerhead with press button switching comprising fixing holder, two showerheads and switching mechanism. The first showerhead is mounted to fixing holder; fixing holder comprises an inlet passage and two diversion passages. The switching mechanism comprises diversion plate, transmission mechanism, sliding block and press button. Diversion plate is connected to fixing holder movably and cooperated with inlet and diversion passages to switching waterway by predetermined angle rotating. Sliding block is slidably connected to fixing holder; the transmission mechanism is connected between the diversion plate and the sliding block in transmission way so that back-and-forth sliding of sliding block drives diversion plate to rotate step-by-step in predetermined angle. Press button is movably connected to fixing holder and connected to sliding block in transmission way to drive sliding block to slide. The combination showerhead is novel and convenient for one-handed operation with reasonable layout and compact structure. Full Article
re THRUST REVERSER SYSTEM WITH TRANSLATING ELEMENTS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A thrust reverser system is provided with an axial centerline. This thrust reverser system includes a first translating element, a second translating element and an actuator mechanism. The actuator mechanism is attached to the first translating element and the second translating element. The actuator mechanism is configured to translate the first translating element along the axial centerline at a first rate. The actuator mechanism is configured to translate the second translating element along the axial centerline at a second rate, which may he different than the first rate. Full Article
re AUTONOMOUS MOBILE PLATFORM AND VARIABLE RATE IRRIGATION METHOD FOR PREVENTING FROST DAMAGE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A rover includes a base having wheels and a propulsion system coupled to the wheels to propel the rover around a field. A tower is coupled to the base and extends over the base. Sensors are set on the tower and the base and are configured to sense environmental conditions around the rover at different elevations. A computing system includes a processor and memory. The memory is configured to receive measured data from the sensors and determine an amount and manner of water to be dispensed on plant life in the field. Full Article
re CONTROLLING VALVE OPERATION USING PRESSURE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A valve body has a piston that slides within the body through four successive positions. The piston has a head, and an upper and lower skirt, with a port in the upper skirt. In the first position, a bias force urges the piston to the first of four positions, in which the piston port is closed. In a second position, the piston port aligns with a low pressure port in the valve body, when a low pressure supply of water is connected. In a third position, greater pressure again closes the piston port. In a fourth position, at a still greater pressure, the piston port aligns with a high pressure port in the valve body. The bias force or a location of the piston port can be varied for valves along a supply line, whereby varying supply pressure opens different valves, thereby enabling addressing of valves according to supply pressure. Full Article
re AUTONOMOUS MOBILE PLATFORM AND VARIABLE RATE IRRIGATION METHOD FOR PREVENTING FROST DAMAGE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A rover includes a base having wheels and a propulsion system coupled to the wheels to propel the rover around a field. A tower is coupled to the base and extends over the base. Sensors are set on the tower and the base and are configured to sense environmental conditions around the rover at different elevations. A computing system includes a processor and memory. The memory is configured to receive measured data from the sensors and determine an amount and manner of water to be dispensed on plant life in the field. Full Article
re REMOTE SWITCH COMBINATION SHOWER HEAD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A remote switch combination shower head includes a first shower head, a second shower head and a switch mechanism, wherein further comprising a fixing seat assembled to a support arm, the fixing seat is disposed with an inlet waterway connected to the support arm, a first diversion waterway and a second diversion waterway; the first shower head is assembled to the fixing seat and is capable of connecting to the first diversion waterway; the second shower head is a hand shower head connected to the second diversion waterway by a flexible pipe; the switch mechanism comprises a switch component and an operation component, the switch component is disposed to the fixing seat and is coupled to the inlet waterway, the first diversion waterway and the second diversion waterway, so that the waterways are switched by the movement of the switch component. Full Article
re TRANSLATING CASCADE THRUST REVERSER WITH CONTROL OF BLOCKER DOOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a system associated with a thrust reverser of an aircraft, comprising: a set of cascades incorporating a track, the track including a first track end and a second track end, a blocker door, and a link including a first link end coupled to the track and a second link end coupled to the blocker door, where the cascades are configured to translate between a stowed position and a deployed position to cause the first link end to traverse the track. Full Article
re VALVE FOR LIQUID RESERVOIR OF FOG GENERATOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The current invention provides for a fog generator. More specifically, it provides for a housing comprising a fog generating liquid and a valve that, in a closed position, prevents the fog generating liquid from flowing out of the housing, in which the said valve is kept in a closed position by means of a fuse wire (6). Full Article